Disclaimer: I know that I use virtual professionals (virtual assistants, virtual paralegals, etc.) as an example in a lot of my posts, like the one yesterday for example.  But to be honest, most of my posts, e-books and coaching materials apply to any small or micro-business providing services. I just happen to have the inside scoop on my own industry, and like most people, I write what I know.  So for my readers that aren’t virtual professionals, just replace that term with your own industry, because trust me, it applies there too.

Yesterday I published a post about some pretty sucky websites that I’d observed during a web search for virtual professionals.  I’m sure a cry went up from tons of people with free or template driven websites defending their choice. And I know of at least one person that complained that my website was, in their own words and spelling:

“very “busy”, bad color selection, and hard to maniplulate – very wordy and doesn’t appear “professional” like she preaches. Just my opinion… “

I’m not going to defend my choice of colors, graphics or design. All I can say is that it works for me and the services I offer and scores a 96 out of 100 on HubSpot’s website grader. (and yes, I did compare my grade to the grade of the above commenter…their site got a… oops! that would be wrong, wouldn’t it?)

My bounce rate is low, which means that people that come here, stick around and read what I have to say and most of all, I get clients from my website.   But the commenter is right in one respect, my site doesn’t look the same as other ‘professional’ sites out there.

And it’s intentional.

My business isn’t like all the others, it’s unique. I’m a huge believer in the SEO power of WordPress for business websites and of using the Headway theme, so that’s what I’ve used to create mine.  I’m a self proclaimed girly girl geek, so the colors and images reflect that.  I advocate blogging for business, and that’s why you’re here reading Tips from T.Marie. I practice what I preach and it works.  And according to most of the feedback I’ve received about the design, it does in fact convey professionalism.

But this isn’t about defending my website design.  This is about using your website to set yourself apart from the crowd. Because let’s face it, you’re not the only one out there offering what you offer.  And getting someone to choose  your services over your competition starts with getting their attention.

Perhaps what I failed to convey in yesterday’s post was this.  The business world is changing.  In years past it might have been sufficient to just have a website that looked somewhat business-like.  But now a site like that is just one in a sea of others that look just like it. Anybody with a few hours to spare can throw an ‘easy template site’ together regardless of their true experience and/or expertise.  If your website looks just like theirs, how is a client to know that you’re different? That you have that expertise and experience to offer?

And I won’t apologize for my thoughts on free websites either. If you don’t have enough faith in yourself and your business to spend money on a website, why should a client have faith in you?  I’m not pointing fingers here. I went the free website route at the very beginning, in fact, I went the free everything route. It wasn’t until I started paying for things that the clients began to call.  In fact, every time I invest in my business, my client base grows.

Every single time.

So even in the shadow of a negative review of my website, I stick by my guns.  The whole point of Tips from T. Marie is to share what I’ve learned the hard way so that you can skip the same growing pains I did and find success quicker.

Related Posts:

• How to Work With a Virtual Assistant Successfully- Top Secret Tip #6
• What if There was a Business School for Virtual Professionals?
• How to Work with a Virtual Assistant Successfully- Top Secret Tip #7

If you think you’re not getting clients or customers from your website, this post might just change your mind. After writing my recent post “Why a Business Website Beats the Yellow Pages (& Earns You My Money)” that same old complaint about business websites reared it’s ugly head again.

“I never get clients (customers) from my business website”.

Although I’ve addressed some reasons a business may not be getting responses to their website in my “6 Reasons You Aren’t Getting Clients from Your Website” series, there is something else that many business owners might be missing.

How do you know you’re not?

Making a decision to do business with someone isn’t always an instantaneous one. The decision might not be made the first time someone visits your site, or even the 2nd. Just because someone doesn’t contact you through your website, doesn’t mean it hasn’t had an effect on their decision to do business with you.

For example, since moving here to North Carolina, the majority businesses that I’ve chosen to do business with I have found via their websites. But guess what? I don’t make a habit of telling the cashier or other contact that I found them that way. Maybe I should, but in the course of my everyday life, I’m often preoccupied and busy so it doesn’t really come to mind to let them know.

I’d be willing to bet that there are more people like me out there.

You might want to look at your business website the same way you’d think of signage. I doubt too many customers or clients mention seeing your sign or tell you that your sign is what made them stop by. But truthfully, if your sign wasn’t out there, they would never find you. Right?

Think of your business website is your ‘online sign’, and realize that even though no one is telling you specifically, chances are it’s leading business to your door.

Related Posts:

• If its not Broke…Fix it Anyway
• What if There was a Business School for Virtual Professionals?
• Business Lesson of the Week: Standing out in the Crowd

Moving to a new area can teach you a lot of things, but it wasn’t until I became an entrepreneur that I noticed it can also educate you about business.  And more specifically about how fearful businesses can be about making changes.

I’ve been bit surprised at how many local businesses here in my corner of North Carolina don’t have a website.  Yet, they are purchasing space in the Yellow Pages.  Really?!

Don’t they know that people are more likely to use their yellow pages directory as a doorstop or booster seat than to actually open it to find a business these days?  And I’m not exaggerating.

Business owners still clinging to this antique advertising method are either living in denial (and the dark ages) or allowing their lack of understanding or fear of the Internet to confine their business growth.

For example, if you’re a coffee shop or tanning salon in the Hickory/Conover area of North Carolina and you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on taking my money.

You’re missing out because I’m new to the area, haven’t made a ton of friends here yet and don’t have the time to make personal visits to a bunch businesses to try them out.

You want to know how to get your hands on my money?

Have an informative website.  Give me directions. Include pricing and pictures of your business that I can access from my computer.  Allow me to read recommendations by other coffee lovers or lily white redheads in need of a little color before the layers of winter clothing are discarded.

My time is valuable, so being able to make an informed decision about where I’m going to relax over coffee or get my tan on is important to me.  I don’t have time to try every shop or salon in town.

Use your website to show me that your establishment is clean, relaxing, up-to-date, has wi-fi, and offers products to suit my needs.  Show me that you’re a vibrant, growing business interested in your community and customers by keeping your website current and adding new content on a regular basis.

I’m hesitant to try out a place that hasn’t updated their website in months or even years.  You want to know why?  Because several times I’ve done so only to find out that the establishment is no longer there.   Regular updates of some sort let me know you’re still an active business who wants me as a customer and you care about your business enough to be sure you’re web presence is fresh and new.

And take note.  I’m not alone.

I’m not the only consumer out here that is looking for exactly the same things.  In fact, I’d go out on a limb and say that most of your potential customers are looking for those things.

Stop making excuses and pretending that a business website isn’t necessary  for your business.  Realize that a business website allows you to reach more people and share more useful information with them than an expensive Yellow Pages ad ever could.

Do that and you’ll gain customers…and their money.

(If you think that building a business website is too expensive, too difficult or too much trouble, contact me today and I’ll share my secrets for easy, affordable business sites. )

Related Posts:

• Your Business Website is Your Online Sign
• What’s So Great About WordPress?
• What's on Your Website??

If you’re reading this, you are probably already aware that one of the most important things you can do for your small business is to create a website.  If you’re just starting out or looking to give your current site an overhaul you are faced with choices as to just how to build one. You can:

• Have a professional site built for you
• Use one of the template or sitebuilder based sites to do it yourself
• Build a ‘blogsite’ on the WordPress framework

If you’re familiar with me at all, you know that I’m a firm believer in building a ‘blogsite’ rather than a more traditional website.  Because of my outspoken praise for WordPress, I’ve begun to get a lot of questions from people wondering  just what it is about WordPress that makes me believe it’s the best choice for small business sites.

Trying to answer those questions via the written word really hasn’t done justice to the ease of WordPress so I decided it might be time to try to answer those questions with a video.  If you’ve been wondering “What’s So Great About WordPress?”  here is your chance to get a basic idea of some of the features that sold me on it back when I was the one asking questions.

Related Posts:

• I’ve Put Website On The Menu
• Why a Business Website Beats the Yellow Pages (& Earns You My Money)
• How I Almost Committed SEO Suicide

In the first post in this series I discussed one of the reasons your site may not be bringing you clients, aiming your content at the wrong market. The number two reason also has to do with your content.

Once we’ve reviewed the site and looked at the content to determine who is being targeted, our next step is to see if they are talking to them or at them.

Sadly, the majority of businesses talk at their target market. What do I mean?

They give them a sales pitch, explaining what they do, why they’re good at it and try to impress potential clients with their education, experience, awards and testimonials. Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for those things, and I’ll go into that another time, but it shouldn’t be the main focus of your site.

It’s not really their fault, traditional marketing was all about making an impression, talking big and tooting your own horn. Thankfully, marketing is changing. Widespread use of the Internet and social media is changing how people search for services and products.

Potential clients are no longer searching for the provider with the most impressive list of achievements but one that shows they understand their needs.

So what should you be doing?

You should be talking to your visitors and letting them know you understand what their needs may be. Realize that you might not know everything they need and ask them to let you know what their problems are. Encourage them to interact with you.

Instead of thinking about what your readers need to know about you, think about what they need to know that you know.

Today take a hard look at that content again and make sure you’re not talking at your audience but actually talking to them and with them.

Related Posts:

• Business Lesson of the Week: Standing out in the Crowd
• Your Business Website is Your Online Sign
• Why a Business Website Beats the Yellow Pages (& Earns You My Money)